If you have a Panasonic Lumix S9, there’s a fresh firmware update that seems to make your shooting experience even smoother. It’s not a revolutionary overhaul, but Firmware Ver.1.3 presents some much-needed improvements, specifically in terms of startup speed and security adjustments for Wi-Fi connections.
Faster Startup, Fewer Frustrations
Panasonic claims that with the new update, startup lag is shortened, and the camera is more responsive during startup.
Those who’ve got the update installed are experiencing varied results. Some claim noticeable speed gains, while others report the impact is slight. That implies the update may be more about consistency, making sure the camera doesn’t take longer than it should to wake up after having been turned off for an extended period.
Wi-Fi Gets a Security Boost
If you’re one of those people who transfer files over Wi-Fi a lot, this upgrade alters a few settings. Panasonic has made security a top-most priority. Now you’ll always be required to enter a password when connecting directly with your smartphone. It’s a bit of an inconvenience though, but it will add an extra level of security to your connection.
Other Wi-Fi settings modifications are:
- The [Wi-Fi Password] menu is gone (now default required).
- Older encryption methods (like TKIP) are no longer supported.
- No Encryption” as a network authentication option is gone.
- Wi-Fi image transfer to PC has been removed (but only for European and Ukrainian models).
So if you’ve been using your S9 for quick, password-free Wi-Fi transfers, you’ll need to adjust to this new setup.
Better Stability, but No Big Surprises
Aside from speed and security improvements, operational stability has also been refined. Panasonic hasn’t gone into detail about what that means, but if you’ve experienced any quirks or crashes, this update could smooth things out.
This isn’t a major firmware update like Ver.1.1, which opened up unlimited recording for the camera, but it’s worth installing regardless. For upgrading, Firmware Ver.1.3 can be downloaded now at Panasonic’s official website.
For now, many creators see the Panasonic Lumix S9 as an excellent choice because of its open-gate video recording feature, full-frame quality, and a wider range of color options for their creative projects.
[via DPREVIEW; Image credits: Panasonic]
